‘Police fight criminals openly, day and night… They need jaadu ki jhappi’: Haryana DGP OP Singh’s emotional note

“Last month in October, amid unfortunate events, I had the opportunity to become the state police chief. It was a big challenge. Everywhere, people asked what was going on. I said, ‘Nothing.’ I made a policy that I wouldn’t sit idle, wouldn’t stay silent. Instead of playing the meeting game in closed rooms, I went out. I told the police personnel to behave properly with people, and to drop off fraudsters and criminals in jails. Don’t make life harder for people in the name of security. Through the media, I spoke of people exactly as they were,” Singh, 59, said.

Singh also talked about comments he made during a press conference in Gurgaon, where he equated people driving Mahindra Thar and Royal Enfield motorbikes with ‘rowdy elements’. The comments received mixed responses, with many criticising him.

‘I encounter those who consider themselves deep state’

“In the beginning, people liked my instructions, such as removing unnecessary towels and shrinking oversized tables. But tightening reins on two-wheelers and four-wheelers irritated those who misused them. Still, 95 out of a 100 agreed that what I said was right. Even seven decades after Independence, a handful of people still consider themselves above the law and treat others like vegetables,” he added.

“It has been nearly 50 days now. Criminals are either in jail or running with their tails on fire. Victims and the needy come to my office freely and speak without fear. I have kept the auditorium open for them. I’ve told staff to offer them some food – they come from far-off places. But once or twice a day, I encounter those who consider themselves the ‘deep state.’ They sincerely believe they are above the law. It makes me laugh,” Singh further wrote, adding, “an old song of Mukesh starts playing in my mind – ‘One day everything will be sold for a pittance”.

Describing his nearly 34-year-long career, Singh, who comes from Bihar, said the state he belongs to, and the era he comes from, had “governments that were practically absent”.

“Forget doing good — they would arrive only after the worst had already happened. That too, as an additional problem. To escape their love for abuse and their obsession with exploitation, surviving on divine grace was the only option. Criminals never suffered. Good people found it hard even to protect their honour. The system was such that we ended up thousands of miles from home. Now that I myself am the government, I decided on the very first day that I would be the solution”.

‘Desire to do something big kept me moving’

The 59-year-old officer discussed the suggestions he offered to his juniors and what he told those above him.

“During my time in districts and ranges, I kept telling my subordinates to show compassion to people. After thousands of years of slavery, they were breathing freely for the first time. They were trying to understand the law. Forgive mistakes and foolishness. But for crime and fraud, deal with it firmly. Those who don’t do things themselves cannot offer others convenience. I told my seniors: ‘if something benefits people without causing harm to me or anyone else, don’t hesitate to direct me’. Since then, 34 years have passed. I never faced any difficulty. The desire to do something big kept me moving”.

Recalling his stint in the state sports department, Singh said someone told him about an officer who had launched a major scheme called “Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan.”

“Immediately, I thought that I would also start something similar. Years later, when I was given charge of the sports department, people were busy celebrating medals. I decided instead to bring the children to the sports field. I resolved to give disabled athletes equal status. I prioritised special incentives for athletes from the Scheduled Castes. No one stopped me”.

“In the ‘SPAT’ Scholarship Scheme,’ 15 lakh children participated every year. Stadiums remained packed for three months straight. Disabled and able-bodied athletes began receiving equal facilities. Under the ‘Fair Play Stipend Scheme,’ thousands of rupees of monthly stipends began reaching athletes from deprived backgrounds. The ‘Play for India’ scheme made Haryana a leading state in the country for promoting sports,” said Singh.

“It’s a democracy, so there is a huge army of critics. I only ask them to tell their followers to do some research before producing talking points. They keep shouting nonsense. Police personnel are the only ones who fight criminals openly day and night, alone. They go home alone. They sleep alone. There is no security ring protecting them. They can take care of themselves, but be a grateful citizen. Give a magical hug to the officers who risk their lives for you,” DGP Singh concluded.